Fractal Design announced their new Define C and Define Mini C cases today. They were kind enough to send us the windowed version of the Define Mini C to check out, so we decided to build an $850 Intel Core i5-6500 / GeForce GTX 1060 gaming system to put it through its paces.
Be sure to check out our Completed Build write-up for some more pictures and benchmarks.
A big thanks to Fractal Design for providing the case and power supply used in this build.
Remember first time builders... just slam the graphics card into place as hard as you can. jk. Seriously don't do that.
Why a downvote? Here's a +1 to bring you back up to 1.
Thanks. I was wondering what that downvote was for anyway? I was only making a joke. I guess someone thought that would confuse new builders who can only read the first sentence in a comment.
I would kind of understand the 'confuse new builders' side, but people would read all of a comment, as if they read only part of it, there would not be an end to the thought and therefore what they read wouldn't make sense.
jk. Seriously don't do that.
Some people are too sensitive. Not everybody gets I guess.
Artists are never appreciated in their time.
Couldn't the budget get an 6600k?
An extra $25 for the 6600k and another $25 for a z170 already goes over the $850 total. Maybe if you downgrade to a 1050ti, the budget will fit.
This is a gaming PC... Upgrading the CPU and downgrading the GPU is going to perform worse... Besides, the majority of games are GPU inclined and thus even if you kept the GPU and upgraded to a 6600K you really wouldn't see much of an increase in performance.
No argument there. I was just pointing out that including an unlocked cpu would go over the $850 budget.
Makes sense. Would rather downgrade CPU which is a minimal difference in this case, and get a better GPU.
Peeling the plastic off of side panel windows.
This looks like a mini ITX build: one stick of ram to keep the extra slot free, low profile cooler, 6500 to keep the temps down.
and m.2 drive to avoid any extra cables in a small case.
What brand of anti static strap do you use and where do you attach it?
I've never used an anti static strap. Never had any problems frying components. For reference, worked in a datacenter for over a year, handled RAM and burn in tests daily. They are a good thing to use but the dangers just aren't that high to worry about. You usually will end up discharging before you get around to touching components anyway. Don't wear wool and dance on carpet while handling components.
Neither have I and I've never had any issues but it's probably still a good idea just to be safe.
I love everything, I want to build my own computer and I am new to this; apart have little money. I have a concern I do not know the importance of the CASE but I am from the Dominican Republic and request the CASE online because it weighs 22lb I get 2 the real cost (US$188.66), I can use a conventional CASE that are in computer stores, they recommend me or one that weighs 5lb (not if it exists).
From what I've read, a case is often overlooked as just a cosmetic component. Remember a case is likely going to be around for future builds. The, size, and orientation of components (along with cord length) can add or decrease your frustration while trying to put your build together. Who wants to spend money and research on components only to find they have to kludge them into place? While a viewport is nice to show off, it has a practical aspect of keeping an eye on dust and other possible problems within the case without routinely having to open it up and inspect (or, worse yet, only finding out when there's damage).
Replace the C7 with an M9i, it performs better and is cheaper, overall a better value. The C7 is a waste of money in this size case.
Nice choice on the M.2 and Semi modular PSU. Cuts out several cables.
Just a note: If you buy the CPU and MOBO at Microcenter (I'm not promoting that vendor, just pointing out that they price their CPUs 5-7% cheaper than competitors and offer $30 off a MOBO bundle), you can save ~$70 and put that extra $ toward buying a cheap reference/blower cooler 1070.